Changing Societal and Lifestyle Factors and Breastfeeding Patterns Over Time

Abstract

Breastfeeding is an important determinant of early infant immune function and potentially future health. Although numerous studies have reported rising breastfeeding initiation rates and duration, few longitudinally investigated the impact of shifting societal and lifestyle factors on breastfeeding patterns in developed nations.

Soluble CD14 concentration in human breast milk and its potential role in child atopic dermatitis: Results of the Ulm Birth Cohort Studies

“…16,20,21 In brief, SPATZ mothers were older, more educated, more often born in Germany, had lower prevalence of smoking and higher prevalence of obesity when compared to UBCS mothers (Table S1). 16,20,21 In brief, SPATZ mothers were older, more educated, more often born in Germany, had lower prevalence of smoking and higher prevalence of obesity when compared to UBCS mothers (Table S1).…”

“…However, due to the high breastfeeding initiation rates in Germany, 20 we lacked a sufficient number of these children to include them in the analyses. However, due to the high breastfeeding initiation rates in Germany, 20 we lacked a sufficient number of these children to include them in the analyses.…”

New approach shows no association between maternal milk fatty acid composition and childhood wheeze or asthma

“…Use of asthma‐related medication was considered positive indication of wheeze. Wheezing phenotypes were classified into four categories as recommended elsewhere and as previously published as follows: Early transient (≥1 report of wheeze before age 3 years); Persistent (early transient wheeze and ≥1 additional report of wheeze after age 3 years); and Late‐onset (≥2 reports of wheeze after 3 years of age). Doctor‐diagnosed asthma cases were defined as positive report of asthma‐related medication or a response “bronchial asthma” to the question “Has a doctor diagnosed your child with one of the following diseases since their previous birthday?” in the 6‐, 8‐, 11‐, or 13‐year follow‐up.…”

Maternity or parental leave and breastfeeding duration: Results from the ELFE cohort

“…Similarly, women who planned to return to work before 6 weeks post‐partum (Noble, ) or before 1 month post‐partum (Chuang et al, ) were less likely to initiate breastfeeding, but planning to go back to work within 6 months post‐partum was not related to breastfeeding initiation. Furthermore, a later return to work appeared positively related to breastfeeding duration whatever the child's age considered: 2–3 months (Bai, Fong, & Tarrant, ; Gielen, Faden, O'Campo, Brown, & Paige, ), 6–7 months (Chuang et al, ; Kurinij et al, ), or 1 year (Visness & Kennedy, ) but not in all studies (Logan et al, ). In a U.S. study, total maternity leave available (summing fully paid, partially paid, and unpaid) was not clearly related to breastfeeding initiation or duration, but maternal return to work before 12 weeks (partially or full‐time) or full‐time after 12 weeks was related to reduced breastfeeding duration (Mandal et al, ).…”